2022 Frugal Living Challenge

Beshki

nannygladys said:

Another one that's redone the budget this month and its very tight but at least the lottie is producing fruit and veggies, so I'm hoping I may save a little on the food budget to buy some more stocks in, not sure how the winter will pan out but I will be prepared as much as I can be.

That’s what we are doing. What we are saving in salad and veg I am stocking up store cupboard essentials to last through winter. I’m also blanching beans and freezing as this is something we spend a fair amount of money on each week - frustrating when a £1 packet of beans keep us in beans for three whole summers.

Primrose

I think growing your own will always help save money but i do worry for many who are growing on allotments in case the cost of living crisis leads to more theft.   i hope those in charge and allotment committees will be doing all they can to ensure adequate security measures are put in place to prevent theft.  It,s heartbreaking to slog away for months and then find just as your crops are ready to pick, somebody comes along and steals the results of all your efforts

That,s why, when we moved to our current house, a generous portion of our back garden was devoted to vegetable growing where we could grow everything in security.  Still doesn't,t protect you from thieving wood pigeons though,

mandy47

Can't beat home grown. Currently picking raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, lettuce and radishes. Cucumbers should be ready in a few days and spring onions are almost ready. Herbs are doing well. Courgettes are a little behind but we usually get a good crop. Same goes for the beans. 
We decided on minimum spend on the garden this year so we've been bust taking cuttings from penstemons, collecting lupin seeds and splitting overgrown clumps of various plants. We collected marigold and alyssum seeds last year so the garden is quite full and hopefully will be next year as well.  

nmaria

Same here, picking lettuce, spinach, cucumbers and lots of Logan berries. Gooseberries are nearly ready.

Primrose

Watch out for those gooseberries. If we'd been a couple of hours later picking ours on Monday the wood pigeons would have had the lot!   I looked out of the bedroom window as I was dressing and saw a couple of them trying to land on the bushes.

MazzieD

2Scratters said:

We have a £5 off a £25 spend at lidel and there is one nearby. I don't normally do my main shops there - for no particular reason. However this payday I have just got out previous shopping lists and written the prices of what I paid I have picked the items I intend to buy and hopefully save a bit more too. The grocery & dog food budget is at  £200 and usually does the job well, I need to revisit this due to the cost of living increases. We have been very sloppy with the  money in June and it is not acceptable.
 I have sat down and completed a Budget plan - it is a full detailed on for the 2 vehicles that we have at this time. DH is intending to let the van go when we have got the extension built (this could take 2 years) in the mean time needs must. 
 He has no income other than his small pension so it goes nowhere. I am trying to save all the extra money I earn over my basic salary, I am however saving a lot but need to adjust to my basic and live and save off that instead. 
Our apple and pear trees (1 of each) have filled themselves with fruit this year but they are just not strong enough, I don't think, to see it through. Job for DH today to support the apple tree (pear tree is already done)

2 Scratters xx

Thrifty_Taylor said:

I've spent over budget on food this month, need to try & rein it in a bit where I can. @2Scratters where did you find you L1dl voucher? Big monthly shop is due on Friday, so would help a bit if I could get one too

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news,  this crops up regularly on a 'deals' site I subscribe to.  If you download and use the L*dl Plus App and then stop for a while L*dl send you a £5 off £25 voucher to try and get your custom back.  Unfortunately it is account specific which is why it hasn't been in any of the national papers or on MSE.  @2Scratters please let us all know if you know different!.

luvchocolate

MazzieD said:

2Scratters said:

We have a £5 off a £25 spend at lidel and there is one nearby. I don't normally do my main shops there - for no particular reason. However this payday I have just got out previous shopping lists and written the prices of what I paid I have picked the items I intend to buy and hopefully save a bit more too. The grocery & dog food budget is at  £200 and usually does the job well, I need to revisit this due to the cost of living increases. We have been very sloppy with the  money in June and it is not acceptable.
 I have sat down and completed a Budget plan - it is a full detailed on for the 2 vehicles that we have at this time. DH is intending to let the van go when we have got the extension built (this could take 2 years) in the mean time needs must. 
 He has no income other than his small pension so it goes nowhere. I am trying to save all the extra money I earn over my basic salary, I am however saving a lot but need to adjust to my basic and live and save off that instead. 
Our apple and pear trees (1 of each) have filled themselves with fruit this year but they are just not strong enough, I don't think, to see it through. Job for DH today to support the apple tree (pear tree is already done)

2 Scratters xx

Thrifty_Taylor said:

I've spent over budget on food this month, need to try & rein it in a bit where I can. @2Scratters where did you find you L1dl voucher? Big monthly shop is due on Friday, so would help a bit if I could get one too

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news,  this crops up regularly on a 'deals' site I subscribe to.  If you download and use the L*dl Plus App and then stop for a while L*dl send you a £5 off £25 voucher to try and get your custom back.  Unfortunately it is account specific which is why it hasn't been in any of the national papers or on MSE.  @2Scratters please let us all know if you know different!.

My £5 off £25 spend wasn't addressed to me it came to all neighbours with junk mail 

2Scratters

@Thrifty_Taylor The voucher was on a leaflet that was posted through. Sorry can't be any more help.

MazzieD

Feel like a bit of an idiot now!.   No leaflet here but that's no surprise, we just seem to get Takeaways leaflets through the door.  I'll shut up and get back in my box

Thrifty_Taylor

Thanks for your help folks. Will keep an eye out in case one comes in with our mail ☺️ I had wondered if it was a coupon in a newspaper, my mum often buys a few copies for me when one appears, then I fill my trolley & pay every time it comes to £25 on the conveyor belt. The staff are very accommodating!